Guyton, Ga. – District Attorney Robert Busbee announced Friday that Mark Anthony Wright has pleaded guilty in the long-running case involving the deaths of Elwyn Crocker Jr. and Mary Crocker, two Effingham County siblings whose remains were found buried in their family’s backyard in December 2018.

Wright — the son of Kimberly Wright, brother of Candice Crocker and the children’s uncle — entered guilty pleas to:

• Murder in the second degree (reduced from malice murder)

• Cruelty to children in the first degree
  

• Cruelty to children in the second degree (reduced from first degree)
  

• Two counts of concealing the death of another
  

• False imprisonment
  

He faces 10 to 80 years in prison when sentenced in October. Judge Matthew Hube will decide the punishment after hearing evidence from both the prosecution and defense. The plea deal removes the death penalty from consideration.

The case drew national attention in 2018 after investigators acting on a tip discovered the bodies of the two children behind their home in Guyton. Elwyn Jr. had been missing since 2016 at age 14, and Mary disappeared in 2018 shortly before her 14th birthday.

Authorities later revealed the children suffered severe abuse, including beatings, confinement and neglect. Wright is the third of five defendants charged in the case to plead guilty. His sister, Candice Crocker, and Roy Prater, both pleaded guilty earlier and were sentenced to life without parole. Cases are still open for Elwyn Crocker, Sr., the children's father, and Kimberly Wright, step-grandmother.  

“This case has weighed heavily on Effingham County for many years. While there is still a long road ahead, today’s plea is an important step toward accountability and justice for Elwyn Crocker Jr. and Mary Crocker,” Busbee said. “I am relieved that this matter is finally moving forward after being stalled for so long. Our office remains committed to seeing this case through to its conclusion.”